Arrangement related to inflatable life rafts room temperature curing poly(fluoroalkoxyphosphazene)copolymers and terpolymers

ABSTRACT

1. POLYPHOSPHAZENES THE SKELETAL CHAINS OF WHICH COMPRISE RANDOMLY REPEATING UNITS REPRESENTED BY THE GENERAL FORMULAS   -(P(-O-R)2=N)- AND -(P(-O-R)(-O-W)=N)-   WHEREIN EACH R IS A MONOVALENT RADICAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ALKYL, FLUOROALKYL, ARYL, SUBSTITUTED ARYL AND ARYLALKYL AND NOT EVERY R IN THE POLYPHOSPHAZENE IS REQUIRED TO BE IDENTICAL TO EVERY OTHER R; AND EACH W IS A MONOVALENT GROUP CONTAINING -NH OR -NH2 FUNCTIONALITY, AND WHEREIN W IS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP WHICH CONSISTS OF   -R&#39;&#39;-NH-R&#34;, -R&#34;&#39;&#39;-NH2 AND -CH2-CH2-X&lt;(-CH2-CH2-NH-CH2-CH2-)   WHEREIN R&#39;&#39; IS (-CH2-)A OR -C6H4$CH$A WHEREIN A IS AN INTERGER FROM 1 TO 4, AND WHEREIN X REPRESENTS CH OR N,R&#34; REPRESENTS LOWER ALKYL WITH UP TO 4 CARBON ATOMS; R&#39;&#39;&#34; REPRESENTS ALKYL, ARYL, ARALKYL, ALKYLARLY, AND THE ARYL GROUP IS CARBOCYCLIC OR HETEROCYCLIC; AND THE RATIO OF R/W IS FROM ABOUT 99.5/0.5 TO 65/35.

United States Patent '0 ROOM TEMPERATURE CURING POLY(FLUOR- ALKOXYPHOSPHAZENE) COPOLYMERS AND TERPOLYMERS Kennard A. Reynard, Mentor, and Selwyn H. Rose, Beachwood, Ohio, assignors to Horizons Incorporated, a Division of Horizons Research Incorporated No Drawing. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 33,871, May 1, 1970, now Patent No. 3,702,833. This application Nov. 2, 1972, Ser. No. 303,187

Int. Cl. C08d; C08g US. Cl. 260-2 P 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Improved P-N polymers in which at least some of the organic radicals attached to the P atom contain NH functionality whereby the properties and the polymer may be modified by crosslinking and/ or curing.

This application is a continuation-in-part of US. Patent application Ser. No. 33,871, filed May 1, 1970 and issued as US. Pat. 3,702,833.

This invention relates to polymers containing repeating t-e -i units in which various groups are attached to the P atoms via an oxygen atom, such groups including alkoxy, fiuoroalkoxy, aryloxy, substituted aryloxy, and other groups. Suitable substituents on the phenoxy ring include halogen, nitro, cyano, phenyl, phenoxy and alkoxy. Other homopolymers and copolymers to which this invention is applicable are described in Chem. Rev., 72, 315 et seq. (1972).

The poly(fiuoroalkoxyphosphazene) copolymers of US. Pat. 3,515,688 and the terpolymers of US. Pat. 3,702,833 are capable of being crosslinked. However, cures which involved radical formation generally at elevated temperatures were employed. In contrast, the polymers of this invention can be crosslinked at room temperature without the necessity of a free radical source. By incorporation of a reactive NH site as described herein, a controlled cure of these compositions is possible.

The polymers described in the prior art had structures where Y is the same as Z for homopolymers but not for copolymers, and Y and Z are selected from alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, aryloxy, substituted aryloxy and arylalkoxy. Furthermore, these groups generally are thought to have a nonregular order in copolymers.

The polymers of this invention contain small amounts of randomly distributed repeating units in addition to the 3,844,983 Patented Oct. 29, 1974 repeating units described above. The polymers of this invention have a degree of polymerization of 10 to 50,000. Examples of the additional repeating units are:

wherein Y and Z are defined as described above and W represents an organic monovalent radical containing a group with NH functionality which is capable of further reaction at relatively moderate temperatures and the (Y+Z):W ratio is from 99.5/0.5 to 65/35. These groups are capable of further reaction at moderate temperatures in the presence of many reagents, often even in the absence of accelerators. Examples of W are:

where x is an integer from 1 to 4.

The ratio of (Y}Z) groups to W groups is from about 99.5/0.5 up to 65/35. Low molecular weight polymers require higher concentrations of W groups for subsequent crosslinking whereas high molecular weight polymers require much smaller concentrations.

Thus W in the above formulae is a monovalent group in which a reactive NH or NH group is present, W being represented generically by any of the following:

R"NH= R is aryl, alkyl, aralkyl, alkylaryl, and the aryl group may be carbocyclic or heterocycllc R" NH R' is the atoms necessary to complete aheterocyclic ring These groups are capable of further reaction at moderate temperatures in the presence of compounds which effect crosslinking. The presence of a catalyst to achieve a cure is often desirable.

Optimization of physical and chemical properties of the polymers of this invention is achieved by crosslinking reactions. When crosslinked, the polymers of this inven tion are useful as solvent and chemically resistant coat ings, sealants, potting compounds, elastomers and plastics. Said polymers contain amino sites and can be crosslinked by a variety of chemical agents such as those that contain at least two isocyanate, anhydride, or epoxy sites per molecule.

The polymers of the present invention are prepared by reaction of poly(dichlorophosphazene), a single alkali metal salt of an alcohol, or a mixture of alkali metal salts of two different alcohols, and a quantity of a third alkali metal salt of an alcohol which also contains NH NH, or N(R)H moieties, or groups capable of subsequent reactions to form these moieties. The total mole percent of salts used is between and 200% based on equivalents of chlorine present in the poly(dichlorophosphazene). For example, purified [Cl PN] polymer or polymer mixture in a suitable solvent such as benzene, toluene, xylene, chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, tetrahydrofuran or mixtures thereof was reacted with NaOCH CF NaOCH C F and NaOC H NH in the mole ratio 121:0.2. The polymer solution was gradually added to a well stirred solution or suspension of the alkoxide salts. The salts can also be added to the solution of poly(dichlorophosphazene). Sodium salts are normally employed but lithium or potassium salts are also suitable. This terpolymer cured at room temperature on treatment with phenyl diisocyanate. This same terpolymer was prepared by substitution of above, followed by hydrolysis of the resulting terpolymer. The terpolymer was cured with phenyl diisocyanate.

The alkali salts derived from trifiuoroethanol, 2,2,3,3,3- pentafiuoropropanol, 2,2,3,3,4,4,4 heptafiuorobutanol, 2,2,3,3 tetrafiuoropropanol, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5 octafiuoropentanol, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7 dodecafiuoroheptanol, methanol, n-butanol, n-octanol, Z-methoxyethanol, Z-(nbutoxy)ethanol, phenol, 3- or 4-chlorophenol, 4-bromophenol, 4-methoxyphenol, 4-(n-butoxy)phenol, 4-phenylphenol, 4-phenoxyphenol, benzyl alcohol, 2-(N-methylamino)ethanol, 2-(N-ethylamino)ethanol, 3-(N-methylamino)propanol, 3 (N-ethylamino)propanol, 4-amino benzyl alcohol, 3 aminobenzyl alcohol, 4 (aminomethyl)phenol, 3 amino-phenol, 4 aminophenol, and 4-amino-m-cresol, and N-fi-hydroxy-ethyl-piperazine may be employed. Reaction temperatures are in the range of to 200 C. and above, but are preferably in the range of to 150 C.

The above polyers may be prepared by the following procedure instead of that described above: a polyphosphazene homopolymer or copolymer is reacted with an alkali metal salt of an aminoalcohol. Thereby, the aminoalkoxy moiety is introduced onto the polyphosphazene in amounts of 0.5 to mole percent. Higher concentrations of these groups may be introduced but at sacrifice to the outstanding properties normally associated with the polyphosphazenes.

Polymers prepared by either of the two aforementioned processes may be isolated and recovered by known procedures. They may be formulated into crosslinkable systems with isocyanate, anhydride, or epoxide reagents by physical blending or by solution techniques. Catalysts may also be present to accelerate this curing reaction. Tertiary amines such as trialkylamines, triethylenediamine, N-alkylated derivatives of piperidine, morpholine or piperazine, and tris-2,4,6-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)phenol, metal salts, and metal alkyl halides are representative of suitable catalysts. The amount of catalyst used will generally be 0.1 to 5% by weight on polyphosphazene, 0.5 to 2% being preferred.

The following are representative curing agents suitable in this invention:

1-chloro-2,4-phenylene diisocyanate m-phenylene diisocyanate p-phenylene diisocyanate 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate 2,4-toluene diisocyanate 3,3-dimethyl-4,4'-biphenylene diisocyanate 3,3'-dimethyl-4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate 3,3'-dimethoxy-4,4'-biphenylene diisocyanate 2,2',5,5'-tetramethyl-4,4'-biphenylene diisocyanate 2,4-/2,6-toluene diisocyanate (80/20) 4,4'-biphenylene diisocyanate 3,3'-dichlorobiphenylene diisocyanate cad-xylene diisocyanate vinylene diisocyanate polymethylene polyphenylisocyanate 1,6-hexane diisocyanate pyromellitic dianhydride 3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)ether dianhydride 4 2,2-bis(3,4-biscarboxyphenyl)propane dianhydride 1,2,4,5-cyclohexane tetracarboxylic dianhydride vinylcyclohexene dioxide butadiene diepoxide l,2,7,8-diepoxyoctane 3-(3,4-epoxycyclohexane)-8,9 epoxy 2,4 dioxaspiro [5.5]-undecane 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl 3,4 epoxycyclohexane carboxylate bis(2,3-epoxycyclopentyl)ether bis(3,4-epoxy-6-methylcyclohexylmethyl)adipate Diand poly-glycidyl derivatives of the following:

4,4-methylenediphenol 4,4'-isopropylidine 2,6-dibromophenol) 4,4'-isopropylidine 2,6-dichlorophenol) resorcinol hydroquinone l, 1,2,2-tetra (p-hydroxyphenyl) ethane p-aminophenol phenol-formaldehyde novalac 1,4-butanediol l, l ,3-tris (p-hydroxyphenyl propane Polymers derived from glycidyl acrylate or methacrylate This list is intended for purposes of illustration only and is not intended to be all inclusive.

The amount of curing agent will generally vary from 2 to 50% by Weight on polyphosphazene and is determined by the functionality and molecular weight of both the polyphosphazene and the curing agent itself. The preferred ratio of reactive group of curing agent to amino group of the polyphosphazene is 1.0 to 1.1.

The crosslinking reaction may be performed at ambient or elevated temperatures. For example, a phosphazene terpolymer derived from trifiuoroethanol (45 mole percent), 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentanol (45 mole percent) and 2-(N-methylamino)ethanol (10 mole percent) when dissolved in tetrahydrofuran can be crosslinked within minutes at room temperature in the presence of 2,4-toluene diisocyanate and dibutyltin diacetate catalyst. The same polymer can be crosslinked with diepoxides but longer times and/or higher temperatures are required. Systems which crosslink more slowly are particularly useful for solvent based coatings and solvent-free sealant and potting compositions. With these compositions the formulation is applied to the desired substrate or form and subsequently crosslinked in place upon standing and/or by application of heat. Crosslinking reactions are often run in the presence of inert, reinforcing or other fillers and the presence of these additives should in no way be construed as falling outside the scope of this invention.

The ability to be cured at room temperature makes these copolymers and terpolymers particularly useful as potting and encapsulation compounds, fuel tank sealants, coatings and the like. In these applications room temperature cures are particularly desirable.

This invention is further illustrated by reference to the following examples which are not intended to limit the scope of this invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis and curing of The alkoxides of l,l,1-trifiuoroethanol (0.50 mole), 2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafiuorobutanol (0.50 mole) and N-(4- hydroxyphenyl)propionamide (0.01 mole) were prepared by reaction with sodium (0.98 mole) in dry tetrahydrofuran. Soluble [Cl PN] polymer (0.45 mole) was dis solved in 500 ml. benzene and added dropwise to the alkoxides at a rate which maintained reflux. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 24 hours, resulting in the formation of the terpolymer tone and washed with dilute alcoholic alkali, whereupon the hydrolysis of the was accomplished. Upon precipitation into benzene, this polymer was obtained as a colorless elastomer. An intrinsic viscosity of 1.2 dL/g. in F[CF(CF )CF O] -CHFCF was found. Anal. calculated for 1: 120.02

The polymer was insoluble in all common organic solvents, but was soluble in selected fluorocarbon solvents. When a solution of polymer (1 g. in 5 ml. CCl FCClF acetone azeotrope) was treated with 1,3-phenyl diisocyanate (0.1 g.) at room temperature, the polymer crosslinked and was rendered insoluble in common organic and fluorocarbon solvents.

The title terpolymer was also prepared with the amount of NH functionality varying from 1 to 35 mole percent by using initial quantities of 0.01 to 0.15 mole, respec tively, of v CsHsNHCgHsQNB v and decreasing the amounts of sodium fluoroalkoxides accordingly. Terpolymers containing 1-5 mole percent of NH functionality were conveniently crosslinkedby using polymethylene polyphenylisocyanate inthe presence of dibutyltin diacetate catalyst. Polymersq-with higher concentrations of NH could be easilycross linked by using polymethylene polyphenylisocyanate or toluene diisocyanate. a

EXAMPLE 2 Synthesis and curing of [(CF CH O) PN(C F- CH O) PN -(NH C;,I- I O) PN] terpolymer This terpolymer was prepared as described in Example 1 except 0.03 mole N-(3-hydroxyn-propyl)acetamide was substituted for N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionamide. The

resulting of polymer (1 g. in 7 ml. CCl FCClF /acetone azeotrope) to stand overnight with methyl ethylene-bis(urethane) 6 (0.1 g.) and triethylene diamine (0.01 g.). Similarly, diacids and diacid chlorides were successful in crosslinking the terpolymer but acidic compounds or acidic by-products in these cases are less desirable than the by-product alcohol produced above.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation and cure of a terpolymer of An alkoxide' mixture was prepared in 400 ml. of tetrahydrofuran from sodium (10.1 g., 0.44 mole), CE CH OH (18.0 g., 0.18 mole), n-C F CH ol-l (36.0 g., 0.18 mole), and Z-ethylaminoethanol (16.0 g., 0.18 mole). The mixture was stirred overnight and refluxed for 3 hours. Over a period of 1.5 hours [CI PN] polymer (23.2 g., 0.20 mole) in 330 ml. of benzene was added to the light yellow alkoxide mixture at reflux. Reflux was continued for '95 hour and then the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. Liquids were decanted and the solid was washed with water. The terpolymer was dissolved in 600 ml. of Freon TA (Ccl FcClF /acetone, 89/11 azeotrope by weight), and washed with water until the aqueous layer was free of chloride ion. The terpolymer was isolated by precipitation into benzene and the procedure was repeated at second time. The polymer had an intrinsic viscosity of 0.55 dL/g. in Freon TA at 28 C. Anal. calculated for the title terpolymer which contains 10 mole percent of C H NHC H O: C, 22.5; H, 1.7; N, 5.1; Cl, 0.0. Found: C, 22.2; H, 1.7; N, 5.6; Cl, 0.3.

A solution of the above terpolymer (10%) in (CClgFCClFg) /acetone (1 v./1 v.) was treated with DDI (an aliphatic diisocyanate; 15% by weight on polymer) or 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI; 8% on polymer) at room temperature in the presence of dibutyltin diacetate (1% on polymer). The samples were retained in solution in closed containers and observed periodically. The data are summarized in Table I.

TABLE I Room Temperature Cures of a [(CF:CH:O):PN-(C F1CHz0)zPN- (CzHsN HC: 40);PN 1,, Terpolymer I Dlbutylt'ln dlacetate.

The polymer could also be cured with TDI and dibutyltin diacetate catalyst as a coating as follows: A glass sheet was coated with a solution of the polymer and solvent was allowed to evaporate. When the film was slightly tacky a small amount of a solution of TDI and dibutyltin diacetate was sprayed over it. Further drying led to a crosslinked coating.

.. EXAMPLES 4-17 Following the procedure of Example 3, using the indicated alcohols and reaction conditions, the corresponding coand terpolymers of Examples 4-17 were prepared. When reaction temperatures in excess of 70 C. were employed, bis(2-methoxyethyl)ether and chlorobenzene were used as solvents for the alkoxides and [C1,PN] polymer, respectively. All the polymers were found to be curable with TDI. The polymer of Example 5 could also be cured by heating with 3,3,4,4-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride or vinylcyclohexene dioxide.

Reaction conditions Example Alcohol(s) Moles Amlnoalcohol' Moles C. Hours 4 (0. 2-( N-methylamino)ethanol v (0. 1) 70 1 F3 2 O. 18 n g gg gggoli E 53; am a (o. s) 10 1 G "b. 8 b 5 1? (Q m) }2 (E-athylamlnolethanol (0 12) 1 r -igli jgg f3}? }2 (-rnethylamin0)ethan l (0.15) 10 6 0. 1 s g i }4-amlnobenzyl alcohol (0.12) 10 6 9 4-amjnomethylphenoi (0.06) 1 5 25 10 4 21 85 1 h ts-hydrogennmmme (0.15) 10 6 2 0.1 1; @3581? 3 htg memyramm mhanor 1a n-CZHHOH (0.36) do (0.1) 70 24 i4 CHJOCZHAOH (0. 36) E-(fl-hydroxyethyD-piperazine.- (0. 1) 70 24 15 4-(nC4HO)C6H|0H (0.36) 3-amlnophenol (0.1) 125 30 16 4'C6H4OC6H1OH (0 do (0. 1) 125 30 17 CsHsCHaOH (0. l) 70 Followed by stirring overnight at room temperature.

EXAMPLE 18 Preparation of the terpolymer of Example 3 via [(CF CH O PN(n-C F CH O PN] n (1:1 copolymer A solution of the sodium salt of 2-(N-ethylamino)-etha- 1101 was prepared from 1.8 g. 2-(Nethylamino.)ethanol (0.02 mole) and 0.12 g. sodium (0.005 mole) in 20 ml. dry tetrahydrofuran. The sodium alkoxidewas added to a solution of 3.43 g.

of 0.79 dl./g. Analysis of product was essentially the same as that described in Example 3. Crossliriking was effected with 2,4-toluene diisocyanate. v

Similarly, a terpolymer with an intrinsic viscosity" of 0.20 -cll./ g. was prepared. This material was quickly mixed with TDI and di'butyltin diacetatc catalyst and poured into an open mold. Upon standing a crosslinked elastomeric mass was produced. This same mixture was also useful as a sealant upon crosslinking.

EXAMPLES 19-23 In a manner similar to that described in-Example 118, but using the homopolymers and copolymers indicated below, the corresponding amine containing copolymers and terpolymers were obtained by reaction at; 70%95" C. All the products were crosslinked by reaction with 2,4

toluene diisocyanate.

Ex. Starting polymer 19 [(CFaCHzOhPNh 20 l(H(CFz)2CH20)2PN]n 21 l(CFloHi0)ZPN'(H(CF1)ICHIO)2PN1n 22 [(CFaCHzOhPN-(CuHsOhPNh 23 [(4-CICQH|O)2PNID What is claimed is: r l. Polyphosphazenes the skeletal chains of which com arise randomly repeating units represented by the general formulas i 7 ill DZ T Li. J

wherein each R is a monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl, fiuoroalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl and 'arylalkyl and not every R in the polyphosphazene is required to be identical to every other R; and each W is a monovalent group containing NH or -NH functionality, and wherein W is selected from the group which consists of H R'-I I-R", -R'-NH, and -CH,CH,XCH,CH,NHCH.CH

wherein R is (CH or C H (CH wherein a is an integer from 1 to 4, and wherein X represents CH or N, R" represents lower alkyl with up to 4 carbon atoms; R' represents alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkylaryl, and the aryl group is carbocyclic or heterocyclic; and the ratio of R/ W is from about 99.5/0.5 to /35.

2. A curable composition comprising the polymers of claim 1 and a curing agent in an amount sufiicient to cure said-polymer-at room temperature or above, and selected fromthe'group consisting of polyisoeyanates, polyanhydrides-and polyepoxides.

. 3. A cured polyphosphazene .prepared by curing the composition of claim 2 with a polyisocyanate.

4. A cured polyphosphazene prepared by curing the composition of claim 2 with 'a polyanhydride.

5. A cured polyphosphazene prepared by curing the composition of claim 2 with a polyepoxide.

6. The polymers according to claim 1 in which up to 35 mole percent of the groups attached to the P atoms contain -NH functionality.

. Z. The polymers of claim 1 where R is selected from the group which consists of F(CF CH and where m and n are integers from 1 to 8.

8. A curable composition comprising the polymers of claim 21 wherein R is selected from'the group consisting of F(C\F3) CHgand 'H(CF CI-I wherein m and n are integers from 1 to 8, and a curing agent selected from the group consisting of polyisocyanates, polyanhydrides and polyepoxides, said curing agent being present in an amountby which the polymers can be crosslinked at room temperature or above.

9. A cured polyphosphazene prepared by curing the composition of claim 8.

I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,515,688 6/1970 Rose 2602 P CHRISTOPHER A. HENDERSON, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

1. POLYPHOSPHAZENES THE SKELETAL CHAINS OF WHICH COMPRISE RANDOMLY REPEATING UNITS REPRESENTED BY THE GENERAL FORMULAS 